With the Illini: Former gymnastics standout Spring returns to coach men's team

John Supinie

Monday

Apr 27, 2009 at 12:01 AMApr 27, 2009 at 2:42 AM

Justin Spring, a former gymnastics standout for Illinois, is taking over as the men's coach.

Justin Spring culminated a lifetime of training with a high-risk, high-reward performance on the high bar at the Beijing Olympics last summer.

A member of the underdog U.S. men's gymnastics team filled with Olympic rookies, Spring handled the three release moves and finished with a triple back flip.

"As soon as my feet hit the ground and didn't move, I didn't know what to do with myself,'' Spring said. "That was one of the greatest moments of my life. That's the routine you dream about.''

Spring’s routine helped the U.S. team earn an unlikely bronze medal despite the loss of Paul Hamm and Morgan Hamm.

Eight months later, Spring's career is over after he was named Illinois gymnastics associate head coach. A four-time NCAA champ at Illinois and 2006 recipient of the Nissan-Emery Award (gymnastics' version of the Heisman), Spring will oversee the Illini men's program.

The 25-year-old not only carries the weight of the program on his shoulders. Only a handful of college programs still form the backbone of gymnastics nationwide. Without NCAA gymnastics, Spring said Monday, U.S men's gymnastics "could potentially tank,'' he said.

"That's one of the heaviest responsibilities about this position,'' Spring said. "I'm responsible for one of these jewels. There are so few. It's so important to U.S. men's gymnastics, not just this program. You're talking about the sport in the country.

"I'd love to say men's gymnastics will be in the NCAAs for another 30 years, but I don't think it is. We've already been fighting it for decades. Three decades ago, we had 80 programs just like the women. We're down to 16 or 17 now. It's ridiculous.''

Instead of training at the Olympic facility in Colorado, more athletes are choosing to train and compete in the NCAA in a variety of sports while still dreaming of the Olympics.

"Now half of the national (gymnastics team) is coming out of NCAA programs,'' Spring said.

After Yoshi Hayasaki retired following his 33rd season with the Illini, Spring planned to individualize the training schedule, perhaps giving more one-on-one time with the athletes. When it comes to recruiting, Spring won't wear his bronze medal, but he will sell himself as much as part of the Illini's pitch.

"I know what it takes to train at the Olympic level,'' he said. "I know what it takes to get each individual prepared.''

Maybe his body told him it was time to find a coaching gig. Four surgeries on his wrists, two herniated disks, one shoulder surgery, one knee surgery, chronic back problems and a series of non-surgical injuries left him constantly training and rehabbing. Nevertheless, landing a coaching college coaching job requires luck.

"I was at the right place at the right time,'' Spring said.

FOOTBALL: During the spring game Saturday, offensive coordinator Mike Schultz went against a defense busy with shifting and blitzing. While Illinois struggled against the blitz last season, Schultz gained plenty of experience against blitz packages at Texas Christian under coach Gary Patterson, a defensive specialist.

"Gary got off the bus drawing up blitzes,'' Schultz said. "I've had some experiences up and down the line. As we came off the team bus one time, I caught him drawing up a blitz in the dirt.''

The Illini offense also didn't use its option package, because it's too hard to simulate running plays when the quarterback is off limits to contact.

BASEBALL: Illinois freshman designated hitter Willie Argo earned Big Ten player of the week after hitting .667 with three homers, eight RBIs and six runs scored while leading Illinois (26-12 overall, 11-4 in the Big Ten) to a three-game sweep at Penn State over the weekend. Argo was 3-for-4 with a homer, triple and double while driving in three runs and scoring three more in the opener.

Illinois jumped back into the rankings at No. 28 in the Collegiate Baseball's weekly poll. The Illini host Southern Illinois Tuesday with a road game Wednesday against Indiana State. Tied for the Big Ten lead with Ohio State, Illinois plays a three-game series at Northwestern beginning Friday.

IN OTHER NEWS: Illinois senior designated hitter Katrina Ross earned Big Ten softball player of the week after hitting .500 and posting a 1.500 slugging percentage during a sweep of No. 11 Northwestern. Ross' walk-off grand slam ended the first game and she also homered in the second game as the Illini swept Northwestern for the first time in eight years. . . Illinois fell to top-seeded Ohio State 4-1 in the Big Ten men's tennis championship match Sunday. Dennis Nevolo became the first Illini to earn freshman of the year in the Big Ten since 2005. The Illini women fell 4-3 to Michigan in the conference tournament semifinals. . . Freshman Andrew Riley broke the school record with time of 13.61 seconds to place second at the Drake Relays. In the women's division, Deserea Brown won the 400 hurdles and Aja Evans won the shot put. . .

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.

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